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Ordinance that would strengthen city auditor’s access and reporting moves from ordinance committee
Summary
An ordinance read in committee would grant the city auditor broader access to department records, mandate preservation of responsive records, require annual audits for capital projects over $1 million, and add quarterly public oversight reporting; committee discussion focused on restoring auditor powers lost in 2008.
The Ordinance Committee heard a lengthy reading of an ordinance intended to restore and strengthen the Quincy city auditor’s independent oversight authority.
The proposed amendments to Chapter 66 would give the city auditor unrestricted authority to examine books, contracts, records and financial systems across all city departments, require immediate access to electronic records and two-business-day production for hard-copy or archived files, and mandate preservation of responsive records to prevent alteration or destruction. The ordinance would also require annual financial or performance audits for capital projects with authorized funding totaling more than $1 million, set a pathway for the council to request a state audit from the Massachusetts state auditor, and direct the auditor to issue a public quarterly financial oversight report detailing budget-to-actual performance, capital balances, overtime, vacancies and reserve levels.
Committee members questioned code placement and overlap with state law; multiple councilors said the 2008 reorganization removed some of the auditor’s previous authorities and argued the ordinance would restore the council’s ability to request and receive timely audit information without relying on administration presentation. Councilor Ash said she had discussed the proposal with the current auditor, Susan O’Conor, and supports clarifying the ordinance so it aligns with general law provisions.
The ordinance was discussed at length and will move forward from committee for further consideration by the full council.
